Absence of Judge Stalls Dasuki’s Trial

The trial of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki(retd) in an FCT High Court Maitama, could not go ahead Thursday because the trial Judge, Justice Hussien Baba-Yusuf, was absent.
Dasuki, NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, alongside Amb. Bashir Yuguda, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, Dalhatu Investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Bala Arawa nd former Governor of Sokoto State, are facing trial on a 22-count charge, bordering on diversion, conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust involving N19.4bn.
The court did not sit but the defendants and their counsel were present in court except Dasuki.
The trial was adjourned until September 27 with the consent of all the counsel in the matter.
Dasuki was also arraigned on another 19-count bordering on diversion of funds pending in the same court.
He is being tried alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director.
Also being tried were two firms, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission preferred the charges against the defendants since 2015.